Founded in 1978, the Alaska Wildlife Alliance is the oldest grassroots, Alaskan-based group dedicated entirely to the protection of our state’s wildlife.
Meet our Staff
Nicole Schmitt
Executive Director
Nicole has dedicated her professional life to grassroots mobilization and philanthropic administration. Nicole’s interest in Alaska’s wildlife began as a teenager, when she worked on the crew of a salmon setnetting operation in Kasilof, Alaska. She then studied geography and international development at the University of Denver in partnership with Peking University in Beijing, splitting her degrees between the United States and China. After completing her research thesis abroad, Nicole returned to the US to work in research and grants management for various government agencies and nonprofit organizations—including the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Yosemite National Park, and the Global Greengrants Fund. Nicole was excited to return to Alaska to exercise her skills for Alaska’s wildlife, and since then has been recognized as an “outstanding young professional” in Alaska’s 2022 Top Forty Under 40 class. When she’s not in the office, Nicole can be found biking, running, kayaking, or climbing across Alaska with her dog, Riley.
Chelsey Cook
Communications Director
Chelsey is an Army vet, mountain guide, and writer who has spent numerous seasons in the Alaska Range, ANWR, and Lake Clark National Park. She has an educational background in anthropology and coastal and marine cultures, as well as a Master’s in Creative Writing. She enjoys writing about the intersection of the outdoors, conservation, and the human experience, and has written for numerous Alaskan organizations and outdoor publications.
JOSEPH MOLINA
Landscape Ecologist
Joseph is a trained marine biologist and climate ecologist with 7 years of experience researching marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems from the lenses of ecosystem-based management and climate change. He holds a B.Sc. in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University and an M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources from West Virginia University. Joseph has led and worked on research associated with fisheries population dynamics, tourism impacts on coral reef systems, arctic macroinvertebrate assemblages, management techniques for fisheries, climate vulnerability, and human dimensions. His current research portfolio focuses on understanding climate change vulnerability for ecosystems in Appalachia and how conservation practitioners can promote resilience and equity in their strategies. In his free time, Joseph is a traditional-style rock climber, bird enthusiast, backpacker, and lover of a particular Siberian husky.
Leigh Kirchner
Development Officer
Leigh Kirchner brings a decade of seasoned leadership experience in nonprofit environmental advocacy and development to Alaska Wildlife Alliance. With a background that includes roles such as Advancement Manager and Director of Development and Donor Relations, Leigh has a proven track record in securing funding and managing donor relationships. Leigh is a graduate of Appalachian State University and Virginia Commonwealth University. She is also actively involved in community service, contributing expertise to organizations like Wild Virginia, where she serves on the board of directors.
Kelli Shermeyer
Development Officer
Kelli Shermeyer is a writer and strategist with over a decade of experience across the higher education, nonprofit, and arts/culture sectors. She’s passionate about serving organizations engaged in building more connected, resilient, and creative communities. Kelli holds a PhD from the University of Virginia.
TERESA BECHER
Central Kenai Peninsula Coordinator,
Kenai & Kasilof Beluga Monitoring Coordinator
Teresa is a Natural Sciences student at the University of Alaska with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine. She retired from the California Highway Patrol in 2014 after twenty-five years of service as a peace officer and moved to Soldotna Alaska to start a new life adventure. She loves animals and has spent most of her adult life working with dog and cat rescue groups, in addition to caring for her many pets. Teresa has a previous bachelor’s degree in Government but returned to college to pursue a degree in the sciences. In the last year she has been given the opportunity to monitor beluga whales on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers through the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership, AWA and the Kenai Peninsula College. When she is not monitoring beluga whales or studying, she is hiking with her dogs, exploring Alaska and traveling.
our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors brings together a diverse group of individuals united by a deep respect for nature and a passion for conservation. With backgrounds ranging from wildlife biology to environmental science, Indigenous traditional councils to marine conservation, our directors offer a rich mix of experience and insight.
Their varied perspectives help us protect and advocate for Alaska’s wildlife in thoughtful, impactful ways.
AWA Advisory committee
Our Advisory Committee supports the Board of Directors in areas of strategy and outreach.
Bob Armstrong
Tina M. Brown
Valerie Connor
Nick Jans
Johnny Johnson
Andrew Josephson
Robert Glenn Ketchum
Dune Lankard
Michael McBride
Jenny Pursell
Kathy Sarns
Alex Simon
John Toppenberg
Lowell Thomas Jr. (In Memoriam)
Own or work at a business that supports wildlife? Become a sponsor!
Learn more on our Corporate Sponsorship page.
